Summary

In this episode of Founders in Jeans, host Emily Jean speaks with Lauren Wittenberg Weiner, a former CEO, current founder and now author of the upcoming book 'Unruly'. They discuss Lauren's journey from leading a successful government contracting firm to navigating the world of publishing. Lauren shares her insights on imposter syndrome, the importance of trusting one's gut, and the challenges of balancing personal and professional responsibilities. The conversation highlights the significance of redefining success and the power of mentorship in one's career.

You can follow Lauren on Instagram @laurenwittenbergweiner. And visit her website at https://laurenwittenbergweiner.com. And her book is available for purchase on Amazon here.

You can follow us on Instagram @foundersinjeans. You can also visit our website at www.livegooddigital.com.

Chapters

00:00 The Accidental Entrepreneur

03:22 Transitioning from Government to Business

06:04 The Journey of Writing a Book

08:51 Finding Balance in Life and Work

11:14 Defining 'Unruly' and Breaking the Mold

13:51 Empowerment Through Reinvention

16:27 Navigating Identity After Selling a Business

19:14 Authenticity in a Male-Dominated Industry

23:33 Building Trust and Leadership

24:16 Imposter Syndrome as a Superpower

27:04 Different Perspectives on Imposter Syndrome

29:14 Lessons from Youth Sports

32:34 Work-Life Equilibrium vs. Balance

37:18 Misconceptions About Ambitious Women

39:07 Rapid Fire Insights and Advice

Takeaways

Lauren Weiner transitioned from CEO to author after selling her company.

The title 'Unruly' reflects breaking free from societal expectations.

Imposter syndrome can serve as a signal for personal growth.

It's important to trust your gut in decision-making.

Balancing life requires ruthless prioritization.

Women in leadership often face unique challenges and perceptions.

Mentorship plays a crucial role in navigating career transitions.

Success can be redefined at different stages of life.

Learning to say no is essential for maintaining balance.

Embracing discomfort can lead to new opportunities.

Keywords

entrepreneurship, leadership, imposter syndrome, work-life balance, women in business, personal growth, book publishing, success, career transition, mentorship, founder stories, female founder, startup journey, business growth, scaling a business, founder mindset, business lessons, startup success, entrepreneur journey, founder exit, bootstrap business, business transformation, startup life, exit strategy, CEO stories, growth mindset, startup advice, strategic planning, company culture, business pivot, founder reinvention, business decisions, personal branding, life after CEO, founder challenges, building from scratch, military spouse entrepreneur, selling a business, career shifts, startup resilience, authentic leadership, visionary leadership, founder evolution, navigating change, business transition, career pivot, book writing journey, first-time author, writing a book, publishing process, Simon & Schuster, author podcast, author interview, nonfiction author, leadership books, women authors, book marketing, writing therapy, memoir writing, publishing industry, author spotlight, book promotion, business memoir, book recommendations, female authors, unruly book, unruly by Lauren Weiner, writing inspiration, from CEO to author, author journey, women in leadership, breaking barriers, career woman, empowered women, career development, working moms, mompreneur, supporting women, women CEOs, female leaders, women who lead, women supporting women, balancing motherhood and work, ambitious women, leading with grace, inspiring women, professional women, female mentorship, women in startups, powerful women, inclusive leadership, women-led business, girls in business, confidence in business, mental resilience, growth journey, career fulfillment, self-discovery, inner strength, trust your gut, overcoming fear, life transitions, rediscovering purpose